The Victoria Day long weekend is always a busy time for the club with the first open tournament of the season and an open house to allow visitors to “Give it a Try”. Last year the weather was a factor in both events with cold wet weather that affected the attendance at the Open House and restricted the number of greens that could be used for the tournament. Thankfully the weather was much kinder this year.We had 27 visitors to the Open House on Saturday May 16th and there was lots of activity on the greens as they were shown the basics of the sport and rolled some bowls. Many showed an immediate aptitude for lawn bowling and we had 7 new members sign up during the event. Many of those who did not sign up on the day are intending to come back and take further instruction during the June Wednesday evening beginner sessions. Thanks to those members who were on hand throughout the day to help with registration, instruction and providing refreshments. We had an excellent Open Fours tournament on Victoria Day. 72 competitors (18 teams) were playing and there were some very strong teams from Oshawa, Peterborough, Port Hope, Whitby and Cosburn Park. We had a new sponsor for the event, Lauria Hyundai, and two of their vehicles were on display in the club grounds for competitors to view during the course of the tournament. Many players remarked upon how good the greens are for early season. The only concern on the day of the tournament was the threat of thunderstorms. However they never materialized and it was a perfect day for bowling. Each team played 3 games of 12 ends and after the second round Doug Marshall’s Oshawa team was in the lead with 2 wins and 33 points. However they lost their final game 7-14 to the eventual winners from Cosburn Park, Toronto, skipped by Bob Bates. The five Cobourg teams had varied results and none was in the prize money. Pauline Hill’s team was the most successful with 2 wins and 40 points and a seventh place finish. Dave Shirley’s team also had 2 wins with 31 points and finished in ninth.The full results were: Trophy winners with 3 wins and 40 points Bob Bates team from Cosburn Park.Second place with 3 wins and 36 points Lorne Schiel’s team from Whitby. Third with 2 wins and 42 points Bob Matthews team from Oshawa. Fourth place with 2 wins and 41 points Jim Butler’s team from Oshawa. The prize for one game high went to the Peterborough team skipped by Bob Reynolds. They had 41 points.

Overall it was a great start to the tournament season and hopefully that will continue as the many tournaments are almost fully subscribed and some have a waiting list.